GORDON DUNCAN, from  Pitlochry, Perthshire, a piper, folk musician and composer, died in December, 2005, aged 41. He was widely regarded as one of the most skilled and innovative traditional music performers and composers of modern times. While steeped in the art of traditional Highland piping, his approach to his music was always imaginative, fresh and at times radical, to the extent that his influence can be heard within an entire generation of younger musicians across Scotland and well beyond.
 
The Gordon Duncan Memorial Trust was set up by a group of family members and friends, with the purpose of promoting piping and other forms of traditional music in Scotland, with a particular emphasis on young musicians. On Saturday, 29th September, 2007, the Trust presented a Concert in the Perth Concert Hall to raise funds for the Trust. The concert was an unqualified success with the capacity audience being treated to a galaxy of talent from the piping and traditional music scenes, gathered together in Gordon’s native Perthshire to celebrate his music, his influence and immense contribution to Scotland’s musical landscape.

The concert was arranged and stage-managed by Ross Ainslie and the musical director was Brian McAlpine of Session A9, both friends of Gordon. It was hosted jointly by Fiona Ritchie, of ‘Thistle and Shamrock’ fame and Gary West, Trust member and presenter of BBC Radio Scotland’s ‘Pipeline’. The concert was described by many as ‘a hugely emotional and yet a very happy  occasion’ – during the finale there wasn’t a dry eye in the house!

The album consists of twelve tracks, including the Atholl Highlanders and National Youth Pipe Bands, songs from Maggie MacInnes, Jock Duncan, Kris Drever and Dougie MacLean;  instrumentals from Session A9, Sylvain Hamon and Steven Bodénès, Duncan Chisholm and Xose Manuel Tejedor; Allan MacDonald, Kris Drever and Eamonn Coyne; Jarlath Henderson, plus Jarlath and Eamonn Coyne; and Ross Ainslie and Ali Hutton. Many of the artists were accompanied by The Concert Band, which consisted of Session A9 and other concert musicians, and not forgetting the percussion of ‘young’ Gordon Duncan. The audience gave ‘young’ Gordon an almighty round of applause when he was presented to them. The Trust wish to thank all the artists who took part and all those who contributed in any way whatsoever to this wonderful concert, with special thanks to Ross Ainslie and   Jamie MacLean, who recorded the album. It was mixed by Jamie, Ross and Eamonn Coyne.

A memorable concert resulting in a must-have album, whether you were in the audience or not! The Greentrax profits from the CD  will go to the Trust.